Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

LOS ANGELES — Receiver Puka Nacua plans to return to the Los Angeles Rams’ lineup Sunday against New Orleans after missing one game with an ankle injury.

Nacua took advantage of a serendipitous bye week to recover after rolling his ankle during the Rams’ victory at Baltimore on Oct. 12. The star wideout missed the Rams’ blowout victory over the Jaguars in London on Oct. 19.

Nacua returned to full practice with the Rams (5-2) on Thursday, and he is confident he’ll play when they host the Saints (1-7) in their first home game in a month.

Nacua was leading the NFL in receptions and yards receiving when he rolled his ankle after going up for a contested catch against the Ravens. Nacua returned to the game, saying that he felt the injury was “just like getting the wind knocked out of me,” but eventually realized he was in more pain than that.

Despite missing parts of two games, Nacua is still third in the league with 54 receptions and fourth with 616 yards receiving.

Injured Bronco

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos face a challenge as they lose cornerback Pat Surtain II to injury but gain linebacker Dre Greenlaw back in the lineup. Surtain is out with a strained pectoral muscle. Kris Abrams-Draine will serve as his replacement for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.

Greenlaw returns after a one-game suspension and a long recovery from a quadriceps injury. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is optimistic about the team’s prospects, emphasizing a collective effort to fill Surtain’s spot. Greenlaw is eager to contribute to the already strong defense.

Hunter hurt

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter is on the injury report with a knee issue. Hunter was deemed a limited participant. He practiced in full Wednesday and showed no signs of being injured during the portion open to reporters the following day.

But then he was not in the locker room following practice Thursday for his weekly media session. Hunter is coming off a career performance against the Los Angeles Rams in London. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner caught eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, and the Jaguars were planning to use him as their No. 1 receiver this week at Las Vegas.

Hope for the best

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame several injuries to key players and kept winning games in the first half of their season. That can only help them when the games mean the most.

The Buccaneers have a two-game lead in the division at their bye week. All those injuries allowed more players opportunities to get on the field, improving Tampa Bay’s depth and providing coaches a chance to learn what some of the backups and reserves can do in meaningful games.

Of course, the only number that matters is the total of wins. In a formidable NFC, the Buccaneers need to rack up as many as they can to earn the highest seed.

A good sign

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young practiced full for the second straight day, raising the likelihood that he’ll return on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Young missed last Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills with an ankle injury. Panthers coach Dave Canales doesn’t address reporters on Thursdays, so he did not provide any update on Young’s status. The team will release its injury report today, per NFL rules.